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If you’re a newcomer to Canada or just trying to understand the addressing system in Canada…

…you may find yourself wondering about the meaning and importance of civic numbers assigned to properties in the country. 

Here I explained everything you need to know about a civic number in Canada ranging from its meaning, example, modification, and access.

What is a Civic Number?

A civic number, also known as a civic street number is a unique number assigned to a property in Canada by municipalities. 

This is to help identify and distinguish one property from the other. The number is assigned to residential, commercial, institutional and industrial properties.

A civic number is usually the first number that appears on your civic and postal address in Canada. 

After the civic number, a street name will follow and then the municipality, province code and postal code.

In Canada, a civic number is also called a “911 address” because it helps the police and firefighters locate a building in cases of emergencies. 

A civic number also helps postmen and utility providers reach a specific building or property when delivering their services. 

Civic numbers are usually written boldly on the front of a property for easy identification of such buildings.

On each street, buildings on one side have even numbers while those on the opposite side have odd civic numbers.

Civic Number Examples

The following are two examples of civic numbers in Canada:

• 10002 Dollars Boulevard, Montréal, QC H3Z 2Y7 (the civic number in this address is “10002”)
• 12005 Kane St, Grande Prairie, AB T5V 7G5 (the civic number in this address is “12005“)

In the above examples, you can see that the civic number appears first on the address followed by the street name, municipality, province code and postal code.

How Do I Find My Civic Number in Canada?

Sometimes, it can be difficult to find the civic number of a new house or apartment that you just moved into. 

However,  you can use any of the following methods to find the civic number of your property.

• Check the property’s documents: You can find the civic number of the property on some legal documents like deeds, titles and mortgage papers. 
• Use online resources: Some municipalities in Canada have online databases which you can use to search for your civic number.
• Contact your municipality: The planning office of your municipality that assigns civic numbers in your area can help find your civic number.
• Check old mails: If you recently moved into a new home or apartment, you can check the old mails to see if the address is printed on any of them. 

How to Get a New Civic Number in Canada

The process of getting a civic number may vary from one municipality to the other.  

This is why you need to contact the planning office of your municipality to get your unique civic number.

However, you need to have the following information and documents before contacting your local municipality: 

• Basic information/description of the property’s location
• Size of the property
• Documents that prove your ownership of the property

Once you have the above information and documents ready, you can proceed to:

• Locate the planning office of your municipality that assigns civic addresses in your neighbourhood 
• Reach out to the office and get a civic address request form
• Fill out the form with all the required information 
• Submit the form and documents to the municipality 

Note that certain properties that are very difficult to reach might not be eligible for a new civic address upon request. 

How are Civic Numbers Determined?

Civic Numbers are not assigned randomly in Canada. 

There is a standard procedure used by the planning offices of municipalities to assign civic numbers in their various jurisdictions. 

But usually, the planning offices start by picking a starting point (Zero Point) when determining the civic number of a new property,

After picking the Zero Point, the specific civic number of a property is then assigned based on how far the property is from the starting point. 

Using this system, properties that are farther away from a starting point tend to have higher civic numbers. 

On the other hand, the properties that are closer to the starting point usually have lower civic numbers.

However, properties that are located on a circular street or Cul de Sac usually get numbered in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction around a circle.

It is worth noting that each municipality in Canada has a varying set of rules that determines how civic numbers are assigned to properties.

The following rules are generally used when assigning civic numbers to properties in Canada.

• Properties on one side of a street usually get odd numbers while those on the opposite direction get even numbers 
• The last two digits in the civic number of commercial properties can indicate the number of apartment units or offices they contain.
• The civic numbers of some residential properties often describe how far the properties are from Zero Point in that neighbourhood. (For instance, properties located at 6 kilometres away from the Zero Point will have civic numbers that start from 6,000 upwards)
• The city blocks along a single-street area are often divided into small zones with civic numbers assigned based on multiples of 100. (This explains why we have a 600 block, 800 block, and so on)

Civic Number Rules and Regulations

Below are some of the important rules and regulations about civic numbers in Canada.

• Each civic number is assigned to a property by a municipality 
• Every building in Canada is expected to display its civic number in such a way that it can be seen from the roadway
• It is illegal and wrong to assign a civic number to your building all by yourself

Not only will you put yourself into trouble, but you will also put your property into trouble by bridging civic number rules and regulations in Canada. 

Can I Change My Civic Number in Canada?

Sure, you can change your civic number in Canada for various reasons. 

The process of changing your civic number is usually described as a “Modification to Civic Address Number.”

You can change your civic number if you are under any of the following situations. 

• Delivery companies and emergency services are consistently finding it hard to locate your current address or identify your property
• There is mix up in the odd and even number system that should be followed in numbering properties in your street
• Redevelopment and restructuring have changed the total number of structures on your site or land

How do you go about it? You can request a change of civic number from the planning office of your municipality. 

Bear in mind that changing a civic number can only be done by the property owner. 

This is because you will be asked to provide proof-of-ownership documents before you can change your civic number. 

Civic Number and Street Name

Civic numbers and street names are both found on each property address in Canada.

However, dozens of properties in Canada can share the same street name but not the same civic number. 

This is because the civic number of two properties can’t be the same, as each property has its civic number.

Even if all the houses on a street have similar paint colours and designs, their civic numbers will not be the same.

On the other hand, a street name is usually the same for all the houses, buildings or apartments in 

a given roadway.

If you have a store, café and an apartment building on the same roadway, they are likely to bear the same street name while having different civic numbers. 

Why Do You Need a Civic Number?

The benefits of civic numbers can’t be overemphasized.

Without a civic number, it will be difficult for the police, postmen, firefighters or utility providers to reach you.

Since a civic number distinguishes your property from your neighbours, it helps eliminate any confusion in identifying you.

In addition, a civic number gives your property a legal backup in case of any dispute in the future about your property right.

Concluding Thoughts

Now you know what a civic number in Canada entails and how to find, get, and modify it.

If you’re occupying a new property, ensure you know the civic number as it helps identify your correct address.

And if you just build your home, you need to register a civic number at your local municipality to get legal backing.

That’s where I will drop my pen. If you have any questions, check the FAQ section below or drop them in the comment section.

Kindly share this post and check out our blog section to learn about the Canadian banking industry such as:

• The full list of banks in Canada including the big banks
• How to choose the best online banks in Canada such as Tangerine, EQ Bank and Simplii Financial
• How to read a cheque in Canada with a pictorial and video guide 

FAQs on Civic Numbers in Canada

Is a civic number the same as a postal code?

It is not. A civic number is the initial on a given civic address while a postal code is the last part of a postal address.

A civic number identifies a property in a given street while a postal code identifies the mailing address of a given property.

While no two properties can have the same civic number, all the properties in a specific area can use the same postal code. 

It’s also worth noting that a civic number is assigned by your municipality while a postal code is assigned by Canada Post. 

Is civic number the same as street number?

Absolutely! A civic number is also referred to as a street number. It’s a number that identifies a property in a given street.

What is a 911 address in Canada?

A 911 address in Canada refers to a civic number attached to a given property. This number helps the police and emergency service providers in identifying a property in the case of an emergency.

What is a civic address in Canada?

A civic address in Canada refers to your property address excluding your postal address. An example of a civic address is: 

10002 Dollars Boulevard, Montréal, QC

That’s to say, a civic number comprises your civic number, street name, municipality and province code.